Councillors get allowances for trips, fail to travel

Two Chinhoyi councillors were allocated allowances to attend business conferences-one in Saudi Arabia and another in Gweru - yet neither made the trips, raising concerns over the use of public funds.

Ward Four Councillor Ignatius Zvigadza was given US$1,000 to attend the Saudi Arabia International Conference for Learning Cities. However, he failed to secure a visa and did not travel. Despite this, Zvigadza reportedly spent the allowance before the trip was cancelled.

Similarly, Councillor David Malunga was allocated ZiG9,154.04 and USD$337 to attend a conference in Gweru but also did not attend.

Both councillors have proposed that the Council deduct the unspent conference money from their monthly allowances to repay the funds. Zvigadza sent an email to the Council's Finance Director, Zephaniah Chirarwe, suggesting that his future allowances be converted into repayments.

However, Finance Director Chirarwe highlighted that this repayment arrangement would take 13 months to clear Zvigadza's arrears, putting the Council in a prolonged debt recovery process.

The situation has sparked debate over accountability and financial management within the Chinhoyi Council, with calls for stricter controls on allowances and reimbursements when travel does not occur.